A standard lyric video bakes the lyrics and the background into one file. That's convenient, but it means every church using that song gets the same look. An alpha lyric layer separates the two: you get the animated lyrics on a transparent background, and you choose what sits behind them — one of your own loops, a still, a live camera feed, or a colour that matches your series branding.
What You Need
- A lyric file that actually contains an alpha channel. This is the important bit: a standard H.264 MP4 cannot carry transparency. Alpha files are delivered in a codec that supports it — typically ProRes 4444 or HAP Alpha in a MOV container. Talesoft Digital lyric videos with an alpha option list it in the variant name ("Lyrics (Alpha) + Background Layer").
- ProPresenter 7 (ProPresenter 6 handles alpha too, but the layer workflow below is 7-specific).
- A background: any loop, image or video you want behind the lyrics.
Step 1: Import the Alpha File
Drag the alpha MOV into the Media Bin as normal. ProPresenter will recognise the transparency automatically — you'll see a checkerboard or your default background through the empty areas in the thumbnail rather than solid black. If you see solid black, the file doesn't have an alpha channel (or it's been converted to a format that dropped it).
Step 2: Put the Background on the Background Layer
ProPresenter 7 stacks layers: Background at the bottom, then Slides, then Props, Messages and Announcements above. Trigger your loop as a Background cue so it sits underneath everything.
Step 3: Put the Lyrics on a Layer Above
You have two good options:
- As a slide background on the Slides layer. Create a blank presentation, set the alpha file as the slide's background media, and leave the slide text empty. The Slides layer renders above the Background layer, so the loop shows through the transparent areas. This is the simplest approach.
- As a Prop. Props sit above slides and can be triggered independently, which is useful if you want to change the background loop mid-song without restarting the lyrics. Add the alpha file under Props and trigger it alongside your background.
Step 4: Check Timing and Audio
The alpha layer is timed identically to the standard lyric video — same start point, same duration. If you were using the audio from the standard file, note that alpha layers are usually delivered silent, so route your backing track separately (see our guide to syncing without timecode).
Common Problems
- Black box behind the lyrics. The file has no alpha, or the wrong codec. Don't run alpha files through HandBrake — it will strip the transparency.
- Lyrics look jagged against bright backgrounds. Pick a background with less contrast in the areas where text sits, or use a loop with a darker centre.
- Stutter with alpha plus a 4K background. ProRes 4444 files are large. Use a 1080p background loop, keep both files on the internal SSD, and see our choppy playback checklist.
- Lyrics render above the announcements layer. If you've put the alpha file on Props or Messages, check the layer order in Preferences > Layers.
Why Bother?
Series branding, seasonal looks, matching visuals across a setlist — alpha layers let you do all of that without commissioning a custom lyric video for every song. One set of lyrics, any background you like.
Look for the "Lyrics (Alpha) + Background Layer" variant on Talesoft Digital lyric videos. Browse lyric videos →